Is nuclear energy a cost-effective and reliable way for economies to decarbonize, or is it too risky?
Adept Economics Director Gene Tunny caught up with Adept Economics Research Officer Ben Scott about the research project he completed on nuclear energy as part of an ANU Parliamentary Internship, a program which saw him placed in Queensland Senator Matt Canavan’s office.
The podcast conversation considers how nuclear energy can provide zero-carbon, reliable energy and why it should potentially be considered as a key part of the world’s and Australia’s response to climate change.
Ben and Gene discuss how advances in nuclear technology, specifically the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), improve the case for nuclear power in Australia. Highly relevant to Queensland and other Australian states, given we have a number of regional towns (e.g. Biloela) highly dependent on coal-fired power plants for jobs, US company NuScale proposes that coal-fired power plants can be re-purposed for nuclear energy, a point Ben makes in the conversation.
To listen to the full conversation, and to check out the show notes, head to the link below:
Nuclear energy in decarbonising economies
Posted on 22 June 2021. For further information please call Adept Economics on 1300 169 870 or email us on contact@adepteconomics.com.au.